3rd gen atf fluid mobile 1?

[lhsoulrebel]

So I've been searching the threads for a couple hrs now, and haven't found a good answer to weather or not I should change to a synthetic atf. (if it isn't one already) I have a 99 sr5 highlander I just purchased, and I'm not used to auto trannys... It seems strong, with no real abnormalities.. no clunking hard changes ect... (it does do this strange thing when stopped... sometimes it seems to bump into first gear... subtle... could be me not used to an auto.) Anyway, I digress... I'd like to extend the life of this vehicle as long as possible... I do plan to do some mods and off roading come spring tme... Will mobile 1 or another synth atf extend the life, or reduce the heat in the tranny? I've heard that it can keep the temps cooler in there, and maintain its effectiveness at higher temps... Has anyone been running a sythetic for a while?? any problems?? Thanks in advance

 

[FoneRunner]

I can't see where it would hurt it, but it's not something I've seen the need to do. Especially at higher mileage does it make less and less sense to switch...to me anyway. On the clunk you feel when you stop, that is a very well documented issue with the driveshaft. I took mine up to a shop(since I don't have a decent grease gun) and had them lube up all the zerk fittings. Problem solved.

EDIT: Don't take this to mean you shouldn't switch to synth in your AT. By all means, if you want to go ahead! My philosophy on tranny's is, at that mileage unless it's been regularly changed, just leave it.

 

[echo4tango]

how many miles are on the vehicle ?

 

[lhsoulrebel]

105000 on it... so the clunking can be fixed by greasing the drive shaft?

 

[lhsoulrebel]

excuse my ignorance, but what are zerk fittings? Thanks

 

[GMZ]

Might be worthwhile to do a few drain and fills with M1.

 

[kball]

excuse my ignorance, but what are zerk fittings? Thanks

Here you go

Grease Zerk Fittings (Stainless Steel) Made in America.

 

[lhsoulrebel]

aaah yes, the little things you attach the grease gun to.. Thanks

 

[Supra725]

I'm at 231k miles and made the switched over the Mobil 1 around 213k..

So far so good, no leaks..

105k is barely broken in..

 

[lhsoulrebel]

yup... want to keep it for ever... just have to keep down the rust up here in vermont

 

[lhsoulrebel]

so supra725, you switched to mobile one atf fluid, and you like it so far?

 

[NickF]

Did you flush the system, and fill it with Mobile 1 or did you just replace the 4 ro 5 quarts taht drop with the pan?

 

[TheDurk]

aaah yes, the little things you attach the grease gun to.. Thanks

Don't feel bad, the Bozos at NAPA looked at me as though I were from Mars when I asked for some zerk fittings. If it ain't in the computer, they can't find it.

 

[lhsoulrebel]

haven't done the tranny yet... but to do it properly, I take it you have to take the pan off to get most of the fluid out? Taking it to a place that says they flush it.. so I'll ask them all about it, and if not satisfied, I'll try and do it myself.

 

[Supra725]

NickF,

My mechanic did it by dropping the pan, replaced the filter and filled it up with Mobil 1..

lhsoulrebel,

So far I like it, I've been running Mobil 1 Syn oil in the engine and really like the results with it..since I was doing the 90k tune up, I made the switch over to Mobil 1 for my diffs too..

 

[mongo161]

If your mechanic dropped the pan, changed the filter, replaced the gasket and filled the pan back up with Mobil 1 then you are most likely running a blend in your transmission.

AFAIK the transmission system in 3rd Gen T4R's hold about 14 or 15 quarts of ATF.

So if your mechanic refilled your transmission with 3 or 4 quarts of ATF...you still have over 10 quarts of Dextron running in your transmission along with the Mobil 1.

Please correct me if I am wrong.....